Calorie Cycling

[Lyssie]

Re: Calorie Cycling

Your metabolism will not slow down if your calories are over 1200-1400 typically as a rule of thumb. So basically, you're eating too little in general, which is obviously going to ruin it.. a much better way would be to have a balanced time with higher calories, not to go one day at 2000. However, if you are eating 900 calories a day, doing what I said would be basically the same as eating 2k calories.

[chinadoll]

Re: Calorie Cycling

I wondered that too but when the quote talked about carbs and eating whatever you want it seemed like carb cycling was the angle. Maybe I am wrong about that.

How about it Tracy, were talking about just more legal foods to stoke the calories or were you thinking of bringing in carbs too?

[Lyssie]

Re: Calorie Cycling

She did clarify this and that it was staying with the low carbs but raising the calories.

[chinadoll]

Re: Calorie Cycling

Sorry, Lyssie, I had a gap in the posts and didn't see those when I replied. I guess I got confused by the Keto diet reference (in the original post) about carb loading.

If your calories are too low, Tracy, an easy way to bring them up is with fat. It is small volume for a lot of calories. It may help. I generally do vary my calorie intake a little bit. I don't know if it helps or not but I will go 1700-1800 for three or four days then might have a 2000 day followed by a 1500 day. I really haven't seen much difference for myself, but for me a weight drop is affected by water consumption, red meat consumption, exercise (after cardio I drop, after weights I hold onto it for a day), etc. so it might help but there are so many things that mask it I wouldn't know.

[traceyf]

Re: Calorie Cycling

Chinadoll,

Now that is great coaching. Exactly what I was looking for. Yes, I think cycling calories and maybe going up a little, like 30gm of carbs was what I'm going to do tomorrow. Tomorrow is day 23 for me on Atkins.

We are having birthday celebrations so I've already planned my menu. I made low carb cheesecake pudding and sugar free jello. I don't ever indulge and think the rise in calories and deviation will help my metabolism.

I've been very cold this week. Everything I've read says that my metabolism is slowing down causing me to feel colder than usual.

So, I plan to have my normal bacon and eggs for breakfast, deviled eggs, beef hot dogs, cut up veggies and my pudding and sugar free jello for lunch. I plan on having lots of bbq pork rinds and take my calories up to 1800 tomorrow.

Then, my next 3 weeks back under 20 gms carbs and fluctuate 2 days at 1200 calories, one day at 1000 calories and up to 160 calories then back down to 1200 calories.

I never said I was going to do anything, but yes was considering maybe a slice of cake. Likely won't because of the "flack" I'll get. I know I can get on board for the next three weeks. I've come to far and have my eyes set on winning the onederland prize by September 1st. I will hit 195 by September 1st.

Your reply helped me more than you know. I was beginning to feel bashed for even asking the question. Sheesh. It was just a question. I felt tackled by the Atkins Football Team for asking it.

So, again, thank you for the kind reply, great coaching and inquiry rather than shaming me.

[traceyf]

Re: Calorie Cycling

I have to say, I have stepped back from the cliff. No cake for me. I only like the icing anyway. Everyone is right. I could have a melt down after tasting that yummy cake and ice cream tomorrow.

[Peej]

Re: Calorie Cycling

If you're tempted to indulge on cake for the frosting, you could make a little sweetened cream cheese or something similar. That might satisfy your sweet tooth.

I don't like to use sweeteners very often since I find that they can stall me, but I find it very comforting to know that there are some similar legal alternatives. Its hard to look down the road and feel like you'll never be able to eat something you like ever again!

I'm sorry that you felt ganged up on. I think it happens just because a lot of us have made mistakes with Atkins before (I know I've gone off the wagon a few times) and I know that when I see someone trying to deviate from the plan, my immediate reaction is "Stop now! You'll regret it if you don't!"

Its my gut response to try to intervene because honestly, any attempt to alter the plan that I've tried generally led to negative results. Whether that means taking a day off for a holiday because of all the food that will be around or just getting lazy with it, it generally ends in either a stall, weight gain, or going completely off plan. I hope you do what is best for you in the long run, I just hope that you don't make the same mistakes I did!

Also, good for you deciding at least against the cake thing. You should definitely check out the food and recipes forum if you haven't already, there are some pretty nice recipes even for induction desserts.

[chinadoll]

Re: Calorie Cycling

Don't feel bashed Tracey. We are all trying to save you some of the pain we ourselves have had when we confidently walked into a situation that we thought we could control and found out we were sadly mistaken (hence my signature line).

I have that line on my siggie because I have to remind myself every single day that I am one bite from caving. Everyone wants to see you succeed and if we come across as strident it is because we have done it the hard way and would like it to be easier and more successful for the next person.

[not2late]

Re: Calorie Cycling

Re: feeling cold.

When I was losing weight, I felt cold. My first winter on Atkins, I was bundled up in so many layers it didn't look like I lost any weight. But it was not because my metabolism had slowed. It was because I lost body fat. Fat is an insulator. So when you lose fat, you lose some of your insulation. It's like if you took out some of the insulation in your house---your house will feel colder.

[traceyf]

Re: Calorie Cycling

Just got home from the Birthday Party. I took my food and while everyone was having carb loaded cheesecake, I had my 3gm Cheesecake I prepared last night.

Tim brought the cake home... I wish he hadn't. I asked him to put it up somewhere so I didn't have to look at it.

Again, it;s not the cake...it's that frosting that calls my name.

Re: Feeling Cold and Dieting

I have enough fat insulation for 3 people so I doubt I'm getting cold from losing fat but maybe. I'm going to still lay money on my metabolism being upset.

Anyway...going to church to work with my drama team. Then back home to exercise and clean out drawers.

Successful LOW carb day. Need to get my water in.

[not2late]

Re: Calorie Cycling

Tracey, if you normally dress in thermal underwear, a long-sleeve shirt, a sweat shirt, a heavy cardigan and a winter coat everyday. You'll get used to the amount of heat those layers give you. So, if you remove the winter coat one day, you'll feel cold---eventhough you are still wearing a thermal, a long-sleeve shirt, a sweat shirt and a heavy cardigan. It's like during the summer when there are weeks of 90 degree days. If the weather drops to 85, it feels "cold".

[kibskix]

Re: Calorie Cycling

drinking a lot of water changes my body temp also. Its about 80 degrees today and i'm totally comfortable, whereas before I started atkins I would be sweating and grouchy.

[not2late]

Re: Calorie Cycling

That's also the insulation effect. You have less fat now, so you aren't retaining heat like you used to. I'm more comfortable in hot weather now, than I was at 240 + pounds.

[Chanter7]

Re: Calorie Cycling

Regardless of whether the cycling works, I would never do that principally because of my experience. I went off Atkins "just for the holidays" in 2003. It took me 6 years and 55 lbs to get back on it again. It would be too hard for me to do that sort of thing. Once I'm settled into the Atkins way, I'm happy with it and it's far easier, for me at least, to stick with it than it is to go off it and try to get back on again.

Whatever you end up doing, I wish you good luck with it.

Cheers,

-John-